At UnLtd, one of the most common questions we hear is: “How do I buy from your award winners?”, and we’re pleased to announce the answer now is Social Supermarket, an online shopping platform where the digital shelves are full of social enterprises.

We’ve proudly partnered with Social Supermarket, to feature our very own digital ‘aisle’ for customers to shop from past and present UnLtd award winners and further push the UK towards a truly circular economy.  

On the partnership, Co-Founder Jamie Palmer says: “Social Supermarket is on a mission to make it easier for the day to day consumer to find and buy from social enterprises. Since launching in November 2018, we have established relationships with over fifty social enterprise suppliers to sell directly through our platform. We are delighted to be partnering with UnLtd and support their social enterprise network reach more customers. Through this partnership we are confident that we can increase sales for social enterprises and in turn scale up their social impact.” 

In 2018, UK shoppers spent £79.7 billion in the Christmas period. While that’s plenty of presents and festive feasts enjoyed, the joy could spread wider and deeper if the money was spent with socially impactful businesses pushing for improvement at both Christmas and beyond. Social businesses are still a business, and every single customer enables them to create long-lasting sustainable change.  

Head of Partnerships & Programmes at UnLtd, Julie Nicholson, is excited for Social Supermarket and the new routes to market this creates: “Many of the incredible social entrepreneurs UnLtd supports deliver significant social impact through their high-quality products. Whether it’s employing people with disabilities, ex-offenders or refugees; using surplus ingredients which would otherwise go to waste; being plastic-free; operating a ‘buy one, give one’ model; or improving health and mental wellbeing – these entrepreneurs are making society a better place, one product at a time.

“UnLtd are delighted to partner with Social Supermarket to showcase these products to new customers and networks. Ultimately, every purchase improves people’s lives and deepens social impact, a perfect way to bring cheer to both your loved ones and strangers” 

Change Please CEO Cemal Ezel has previously said “If you’re an entrepreneur, why not be a social entrepreneur?” and we want to flip that to ask: “If you’re a shopper, why not be a social shopper?” 

For the gym-goer in your life, a Black Gym Bag purchased from Madlug will ensure a backpack is given to one of the 90,000 children in care across the UK and Ireland. 

When settling in for a cup of tea, why not try Nemi Teas, the sustainable London-based tea company supporting refugees into work and society? The teabags and packaging are completely biodegradable too, leaving no trace on the planet while giving refugees the work, language, and skills they need to settle into making the UK their home.  

Harry Specters make chocolates for every sweet tooth, hand-crafted by young people with autism. These award-winning chocolates taste good, look good, and DO good.

As more of our award winners find their place on the Social Supermarket shelves, we encourage you to spend more thoughtfully this Christmas and beyond, because the businesses you spend your pounds with are your votes for the society you wish to see.